Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Laurie Simmons. It dates from 2000 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2000, this untitled work by Laurie Simmons is part of a mixed‑media portfolio that includes chromogenic prints, digital prints, a silver dye‑bleach print, a monotype with photoetching, and an etching combined with aquatint. The piece is classified as a print and belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary glass jar illuminated from within, its warm glow contrasting with a dark surrounding. A hand emerges from the right, grasping the metal base of the jar, suggesting an act of containment or revelation. The composition invites contemplation of everyday objects transformed into focal points of light and shadow.
Technique & Style
The work employs a chromogenic printing process, yielding rich, saturated tones that emphasize the luminous interior of the jar. The edges of the image are intentionally softened, creating a shallow depth of field that isolates the jar and hand from the background, a visual strategy that heightens the sense of intimacy.
History & Provenance
Acquired by the Museum of Modern Art shortly after its creation, the piece has remained in the museum’s permanent collection. It forms part of a broader series of prints that explore domestic still‑life subjects through varied photographic and printmaking techniques.
Context
Simmons’ practice often investigates the visual language of photography and the constructed nature of domestic scenes. This work aligns with her interest in re‑presenting ordinary objects—such as light bulbs, jars, and furniture—in staged, theatrical arrangements that blur the line between reality and artifice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Laurie Simmons is an American photographer and filmmaker. Art historians consider her a key figure of The Pictures Generation and a group of late-1970s women artists that emerged as a counterpoint to the male-dominated…
